Targeted Marketing Based On Social Media Interaction

ABSTRACT

A system and method for providing targeted marketing to a user based on the user&#39;s social media interaction. The system includes one or more computing platforms providing computer-automated functionality performing method steps for accepting a digital media and digital media related data from a publisher, generating associated information unique identifiers, monitoring social media networks for member-user rankings of the digital media after it is posted, and communicating to a member-user targeted marketing information based on the user rankings. A data storage device persists the digital media, digital media related data, and information unique identifier, which may include a linking hash character, a unique identifier, an account identifier, and/or social media network system-defined elements. The publisher selects digital media and information representing digital media elements, and posts the digital media on the social media network website. Edits, if applied to the selected digital media, are persisted in the data storage.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/905,926, filed on May 30, 2013, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/838,578,filed on Mar. 15, 2013, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/731,383, filed on Dec. 31, 2012, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/547,771,filed on Jul. 12, 2012, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/617,857, filed on Mar. 30, 2012, each ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and for allpurposes.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to online product advertisingand social networking and, more specifically, to a system and method forproviding automated targeted online marketing based on a consumer'ssocial media interactions.

2. Description of Related Art including information disclosed under 37CFR 1.97 and 1.98

Businesses create marketing campaign advertisements to market productsto various consumer demographics in the hopes of convincing somepercentage of the consumers to purchase particular products. However,such mass advertisements are costly and relatively ineffective unlessinterested potential consumers receive information regarding the goodsor services in which they are interested. Given the finite budgetsinvolved, it is usually the job function of marketing personnel toobtain sufficient data to assist them in their determination as to whichconsumers to target with the advertisement.

It is commonly understood in business advertising that if it is possibleto accurately determine a potential consumer's desire for or interest ina particular product and provide that consumer with the relevantinformation regarding that particular product when the desire orinterest is greatest, then the chance of the consumer acting on thisdesire or interest and making the purchase is much greater than if theinformation is not received, is incorrect, or arrives at a time wheninterest is low or non-existent. The more certain the desire or interestcan be determined, then the higher the probability of a completed sale.Such an advertising technique is known as targeted marketing, whichrequires adequate essentially real-time consumer information to realize.Thus, actively monitoring a potential consumer's actions, desires, andinterests as they occur and develop would be an ideal way of achievingsuch information, but such effective data gathering is effectivelynon-existent despite current technology advances.

With the rapid evolution of technology there has been a growing trendtoward online publishing by individuals through social media. Popularsocial media networking websites, for example, Instagram, Facebook,Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, Tumblr, YouTube, Vine, and Flicker allowusers to post user-generated or acquired images and comments effectivelyat will. And, because camera-enabled smartphones are ubiquitous, it isrelatively simple for social media users to take and post digitalphotographs and video on these websites and to include commentary. Onceposted, subscribers or “friends” of the individual's posts are allowedto comment on the posts or otherwise rank such posts to indicate thelevel of “like” that they share. Such information—ranking by thesesubscribers or “friends” of particular posts—is invaluable indetermining what the subscriber or “friend” is not only interested in,but also when such interest is effectively the greatest. However,efficient access to this information does not exist in current onlinesystems and applications.

One highly relevant exemplar of use of social media networks involvespublishers in the fashion industry, who often share images of favoriteclothing, shoe, and/or accessory fashion items. Such fashion publishersenjoy sharing clothing and accessory “finds” with others through thesesocial media network websites. Upon posting of, for example, aparticularly attractive combination of clothing and accessories,subscribers to the publisher's posts receive notification of such postsand will browse and rank the posted image. Thus, the subscriberpersonally records his or her current like or dislike of the clothingand accessories. Near real time access to this data would allowmarketers of the particular clothing and accessories to present timelyrelevant advertisements to the subscriber, but such efficiency has notbeen possible prior the present invention. It is a goal of the presentinvention to obtain timely information about a consumer's preference fora commercial good so that the possibility of consummating a sale isgreatly improved for, among other things, achieving a commission on thesale.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Described and claimed herein is a system for providing targetedmarketing based on social media interaction, the system comprising: acomputer automated information unique identifier creation device innetwork communication with at least one social media network computingdevice, the information unique identifier creation device adapted togenerate an information unique identifier in response to a selecteddigital media and/or a related textual caption, the social media networkcomputing device adapted to accept the posting of the selected digitalmedia and the generated information unique identifier from a publisher,and to allow a ranking of the posted digital media by a plurality ofsocial media network member users; a computer automated digital mediaranking monitor device adapted to monitor the social media networkcomputing device for the posted digital media ranking; and a computerautomated communications device adapted to communicate targetedmarketing information to the social network member user, the marketinginformation relevant to the member user's posted digital media ranking.Additional embodiments comprising added inventive elements are furtherdescribed and claimed in the related dependent claim set.

Also described and claimed herein is a method for providing targetedmarketing based on social media interaction, the method stepscomprising: providing at least one automated computing device in networkcommunication with at least one social media network computing device,the social media network computing device adapted to accept as a postfrom a publisher user a digital media and a related caption, and toallow a ranking by a plurality of social media network member users ofthe posted digital media, the automated computing device executingprogram instructions to perform the method steps comprising: receiving aselected digital media and related data and/or metadata from apublisher; receiving digital media related data from the publisher, thedigital media related data representing elements within the selecteddigital media; saving the selected digital media and storing a referenceto the selected digital media and digital media related data and/ormetadata in a database device record, and generating a unique characteridentifier representative of the database record location; generating aninformation unique identifier in response to the selected digital mediaand/or related textual caption, the information unique identifiergeneration steps comprising: associating the information uniqueidentifier with the selected digital media reference and digital mediarelated data; monitoring the social media network computing device for aposted digital media ranking by a social media network users; andcommunicating periodically to the social media network member usertargeted marketing information based upon the posted digital mediaranking, the targeted marketing information comprising detailed consumerinformation related to the posted digital media. Additional embodimentscomprising added inventive elements are further described and claimed inthe related dependent claim set.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The present invention will be more fully understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a depiction of the overall hardware and network architectureas practiced by a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a depiction of the overall process flow of the embodiment,highlighting the high-level interaction among the system and peripheraldevices;

FIG. 3A is a flowchart of the process flow as practiced by the systemand a publisher user device;

FIG. 3B is a depiction of program steps taken by the system embodimentto assist with dynamic location of consumer products;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of major portions of the process flow as performedby a publisher user upon posting a digital media on a social medianetworking service in the present embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of major portions of the process flow as performedby a social media networking service member user in viewing and rankingthe posted digital media in the present embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of major portions of the process flow as performedby an embodiment of the monitoring device;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of major portions of the process flow as performedby an embodiment of the communications device;

FIG. 8 is a depiction of the screen of a publisher user handheldcomputing device depicting the application start screen as provided byan embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a depiction of the screen of a publisher user handheldcomputing device depicting the media folder screen as provided by theembodiment;

FIG. 10 is a depiction of the screen of a publisher user handheldcomputing device depicting the media selection screen as provided by theembodiment;

FIG. 11 is a depiction of the screen of a publisher user handheldcomputing device depicting the favorites folders as provided by theembodiment;

FIG. 12 is a depiction of the screen of a publisher user handheldcomputing device depicting the products and associated product linksavailable in a particular favorites folder as provided by theembodiment;

FIG. 13 is a depiction of the screen of a publisher user handheldcomputing device depicting the selected favorites product links asprovided by the embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a depiction of the screen of a publisher user handheldcomputing device depicting the entry of a caption for the selected mediaand appended unique identifier as provided by the embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a depiction of the screen of a publisher user handheldcomputing device depicting the social media network publicationselection screen as provided by the embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a depiction of the screen of a publisher user handheldcomputing device depicting the social media network media editing screenand options as provided by the embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a depiction of the screen of a publisher user handheldcomputing device depicting the social media network media sharing screenas provided by the embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a depiction of the screen of a publisher user handheldcomputing device depicting the social media network publisher sharedmedia as provided by the embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a depiction of the screen of a social media member userhandheld computing device depicting the social media network screen formember user review and ranking as provided by the embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a depiction of the screen of a social media member userhandheld computing device depicting the social media network mediascreen with the posted digital media file shown as provided by theembodiment;

FIG. 21 is a depiction of the screen of a social media member userhandheld computing device depicting the social media network screen inresponse to selection of the system website hyperlink as provided by theembodiment;

FIG. 22 is a depiction of the screen of a social media member userhandheld computing device depicting the system website as provided bythe embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a depiction of the screen of a social media member userhandheld computing device depicting the system website member user loginas provided by the embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a depiction of the screen of a social media member userhandheld computing device depicting the selected media on the systemwebsite as provided by the embodiment;

FIG. 25 is a depiction of the screen of a social media member user emailreader depicting the targeted marketing email communication as providedby the embodiment; and

FIG. 26 is a depiction of the screen of a social media member user webbrowser depicting an item of interest as obtained from a link in theemail communication or the system website as provided by the embodiment.

The above figures are provided for the purpose of illustration anddescription only, and are not intended to define the limits of thedisclosed invention. Use of the same reference number in multiplefigures is intended to designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore,when the terms “top,” “bottom,” “first,” “second,” “upper,” “lower,”“height,” “width,” “length,” “end,” “side,” “horizontal,” “vertical,”and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that theseterms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawing and areutilized only to facilitate describing the particular embodiment. Theextension of the figures with respect to number, position, relationship,and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiment will beexplained or will be within the skill of the art after the followingteachings of the present invention have been read and understood.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever.

A system and method is described herein for advantageous use ofpotential consumer information to target specific and relevantadvertisements to the potential consumer when the affinity for suchinformation is greatest. The system and method is practiced on one ormore networked computing devices. As used herein, the term “automatedcomputing device” or “computing device” or “computing device platform”means a device capable of executing program instructions as streamed oras requested from attached volatile or non-volatile memory. For example,such a device utilizes a microprocessor, microcontroller, or digitalsignal processor in signal communication with a dedicated and/or sharedmemory component (RAM, ROM, etc.), one or more network components (NIC,Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, etc.), one or more user input components(keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, etc.), one or more user output or displaycomponents, and/or additional peripheral components including a databasefor bulk data storage. The computing device may also utilize a standardoperating system upon which the program instructions may be executed (OSX, iOS, Linux, UNIX, Android, Windows, etc.) or may utilize aproprietary operating system for providing basic input/output. Forpurposes of illustration but not limitation, examples of a computingdevice include mainframe computers, workstation computers, databaseservers, personal computers, laptop computers, notebook computers,tablet computers, smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), orthe like, or even some combination thereof.

As used herein “computer readable medium” means any tangible portable orfixed RAM or ROM device, such as portable flash memory, a CDROM, aDVDROM, embedded RAM or ROM integrated circuit devices, or the like. A“data storage device” or “database device” means a device capable ofpersistent storage of digital data, for example, a computer databaseserver or other computing device operating a relational databasemanagement system (RDBMS), for example, SQL, MySQL, Apache Cassandra, orthe like, or even a flat file system as commonly understood.

As used herein, the term “network” or “computer network” means anydigital communications network that allows computing devices to exchangedata over wired and/or wireless connections, including thetelecommunications infrastructure. Such a network also allows fordistributed processing, for example, through website and databasehosting over multiple computer network connected computing devices. Thepresent invention may utilize one or more such networked computingdevices, with each device physically residing in different remotelocations, including in the “cloud” (i.e., cloud computing). As usedherein, the term “online” means, with respect to a computing device,that the computing device is in computer network communication with oneor more additional computing devices. The term “online” means, withrespect to a user of a computing device, that the user is utilizing thecomputing device to access one or more additional computing devices overa computer network.

As used herein, the term “computer network address” or “network address”means the uniform resource identifier (URI) or unique network address bywhich a networked computer may be accessed by another. The URI may be auniform resource locator (URL), a uniform resource name (URN), or both,as those terms are commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in theinformation technology industry.

As used herein, the term “web browser” means any software applicationfor retrieving, presenting, or traversing digital information over anetwork (e.g., Safari, Firefox, Netscape, Internet Explorer, Chrome, andthe like). A web browser accepts as an input a network address, andprovides a page display of the information available at that networkaddress. Underlying functionality includes the ability to executeprogram code, for example, JavaScript or the like, to allow thecomputing device to interact with a website at a given network addressto which the browser has been “pointed.”

As used herein, the term “digital media” means any form of electronicmedia where media data are stored in digital format. This includes, butis not limited to, video, still images, animations, audio, anycombination thereof, and the like. The term “rank” or “ranking” of thedigital media means the assignment of a value by one viewing the digitalmedia that indicates the one's approval or disapproval, or acceptance,of the digital media. For example, most social media network servicesallow a user viewing a posted digital media to indicate whether theviewer “likes” the posted digital media by allowing the selection of a“like” button (or other such graphical user input device) associatedwith the digital media. The social media network service records andpersists this “like” ranking in a dedicated database as a use metric,associating the ranking with the posted digital media and attributingthe ranking with the member user. Also collected as a metric by socialmedia network services are the digital media views by the member users.Thus, an inference may be made that a user that views a particulardigital media without assigning a “like” ranking either does not likethe digital media or is ambivalent towards the particular digital media.In addition to or alternatively, social media network services may allowa value ranking by, for example, allowing a member user to assign amultiple star value (e.g., 0 to 5 stars) or a number range (e.g., 0 to10), with the higher star count or number range indicating a greater orlesser approval or acceptance of the digital media.

The method steps and computing device interaction described herein areachieved through programming of the computing devices using commonlyknown and understood programming means. For example, stored programsconsisting of electronic instructions compiled from high-level and/orlow-level software code using industry standard compilers andprogramming languages, or may be achieved through use of commonscripting languages and appropriate interpreters. The method stepsoperating on user computing devices may utilize any combination of suchprogramming language and scripting language. For example, compiledlanguages include BASIC, C, C++, C#, Objective-C, .NET, Visual Basic,and the like, while interpreted languages include JavaScript, Perl, PHP,Python, Ruby, VBScript, and the like. For network communications betweendevices, especially over internet TCP/IP connections, web browserapplications and the like may use any suitable combination ofprogramming and scripting languages, and may exchange data using datainterchange formats, for example, XML, JSON, SOAP, REST, and the like.One of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate how suchprogramming and scripting languages are utilized with regard to creatingsoftware code executable on a computing device platform.

FIG. 1 depicts the overall hardware and network architecture aspracticed by a first embodiment of the invention. As shown, the systemutilizes a network connection to a computer network (102), which in thepresent embodiment is a commonly known Internet connection. Alsoenjoying a network connection to the computer network (102) are one ormore social media network services (104). The social media networkservices include any online social media network service that acceptsthe posting of digital media, and allows others to browse the posteddigital media and to apply a ranking to the browsed posted digitalmedia. Examples of social media network services include, but are notlimited to, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, Tumblr,YouTube, Vine, and Flicker.

The social media network services utilized by the embodiment alsooperate upon automated computing devices providing such functionalitythrough execution of stored program software code and afford third-partyaccess to the service through an application programming interface(API). For example, the Instagram API allows registered third-partyaccess to posted digital media, captions and related metadata (including“likes” of the posted digital media), real-time digital media updates,and other data. One of ordinary skill will readily understand how suchAPI calls may be utilized to obtain the desired data, and will bereadily capable of incorporating such API calls into proprietarysoftware functions designed for such access. Each of the listed examplesocial media network services affords such an API and access to at leastcertain of its data and metadata. In addition to commonly known andpracticed wired (Ethernet or the like) and/or wireless (Wi-Fi and thelike) access to the network (102) also includes cellular networks (106),thereby affording access to the social media networking services usinghandheld computing device cellular phones (112), tablets (118), and thelike.

The system computing devices (108) and data storage devices (110) areconnected to the network (102) to access the social media networkservices (104) using the provided APIs. The system functionalitydescribed herein may be provided on one or more computing devices (108),depending on system requirements. For example, system requirementconsiderations to determine the number and power of computing (108) anddata storage (110) hardware utilized include, without limitation,budgetary constraints, number of actual or anticipated users, failover,redundancy for continuity of service, etc., and are within the skill ofone of ordinary skill.

The system (108) can be accessed by publisher users using wired desktopor personal computing device (114), wirelessly connected computingdevice (116), and/or cellular handheld computing device (112) accessmeans, such means operable to provide network access to the system (108)and social media network services (104) through a web browser. Inanother embodiment a dedicated graphical user interface (GUI) may alsobe provided. Social media network member users can also access thesystem (108) through the same wired (120), wireless (122), and/orcellular handheld device (118) access means. Each publisher user andsocial media network member user computing device is capable ofreceiving program code over the network (102) connection through thedevice web browser or as a download from an application service provideror other such service. Such devices are considered peripheral to thesystem devices (108 and 110).

FIG. 2 is a depiction of the overall process flow of the embodiment,highlighting the high-level interaction among the users, system, andperipheral devices. The diagram is divided to highlight activitiesrelated to the information unique identifier creation device (202)processes and the digital media ranking monitor device andcommunications device (204) processes. The information unique identifiercreation device (206), which is in network communication with the socialmedia network service computing device (104), communicates with apublisher user's handheld computing device (112) as previouslydescribed, following download of the program code as an application froman application provider (for example, the Apple® App Store) andauthentication of the publisher user's social media network serviceaccount as described in additional detail below. Using the installed andauthenticated application, the publisher user (112) selects a digitalmedia from its device (112) for sharing on the social media networkservice (104) and provides a caption for same. The selected digitalmedia and caption are shared (210) with the information uniqueidentifier creation device (206) of the system, which generates andreturns an information unique identifier in response (212). Thepublisher user then posts this digital media and related informationunique identifier (214) on the social media network service (104) formember users to access and rank. Upon posting, the social media networkservice (104) notifies the system of the posted image and anymodifications thereto (216) for persistent storage of same in the systemdata storage device.

A member user's handheld computing device (118) that is also registeredwith the social media network service (104) accesses the posted digitalmedia on the social media network service (104) and provides a “ranking”of the digital media (218). The system digital media ranking monitordevice (208) of the system periodically accesses the social medianetwork service (104) to request a report of the digital media rankings(220), which the service (104) subsequently provides (222). Thisreceived ranking and digital media information is then persisted in thedata storage device (110) for subsequent storage and processing. Thecommunications device (208) of the system periodically sends targetedmarketing information to the member user that is relevant to the memberuser's digital media rankings (228).

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the process flow as practiced by the system anda publisher user device, including steps taken by the user. Inparticular, the upper flowchart elements of FIG. 3A represent processsteps taken by the information unique identifier creation device whilethe lower flowchart elements represent steps taken by a publisher userdevice. As previously mentioned, in the present embodiment the publisheruser first downloads an application to the publisher user's computingdevice to provide the following relevant functionality. Once installedon the publisher user's computing device, the publisher user mustregister and authenticate with the system of the present embodiment.When the application begins execution (302), the system is contactedwith the publisher user's credentials and an authorization token isprovided (304). If the publisher user is not yet registered with thesystem (306), the user must register and the authorization processbegins anew (302). Once registered, the application screen is presentedto the publisher user and the full relevant functionality is provided(308). If the social media network service also requires userregistration and authentication, then the publisher user also registersits account with the social media network service.

Using the installed and authenticated application, the publisher userselects a digital media file for posting on the social media networkservice (310). The selected digital media file in this embodiment is adigital media file that represents certain objects in physicalexistence. For example, the digital media may be a digitalrepresentation of consumer items, such as, an individual wearing acertain brand of clothing and accessories, which makes sense given thatthe invention pertains to targeted marketing. However, the invention canalso apply to targeted marketing of non-consumer information based on amember user's ranking of non-consumer data.

Ancillary to the stated functionality, the system provides a means fororganizing and persisting the publisher user's favored consumer items.Such ancillary favoriting and dynamic consumer product web page parsingand specialized product hyperlink generation functionality is describedin related United States patent applications represented as patentpublication numbers 2013/0262971; 2013/148870; 2014/0019266;2014/0019267; and 2014/0019248, the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated by reference for all necessary purposes. These applicationsshare common inventorship with the instant application. The publisheruser's favored consumer items are maintained in favorites folders on adatabase device, and comprise specialized hyperlinks and other metadatarelevant to the favored consumer items including from where suchconsumer items may be obtained. The specialized hyperlinks also providea means for crediting the publisher user in the event that another userfollows the hyperlink to make a purchase of the related consumer item,and are detailed in the above applications that are incorporated byreference.

Upon selection of a digital media file the application then requestsfrom the system the publisher user's favorites folders (312), thecontents of which are returned to the publisher user's applicationinterface (314). The publisher user is then allowed to select favoredconsumer items from the favorites folder relevant to the items present(or visible) in the digital media so that this additional, related itemdata and metadata may accompany the selected digital media (316). Inanother embodiment, if the publisher user's favorites folder does notcontain a favored consumer item that is considered relevant to the itemspresent in the digital media, the publisher user is allowed to conduct atext or image search for the aforementioned specialized hyperlinks andother metadata relevant to the present consumer item, utilizing thesystems and methods disclosed in the applications that are incorporatedby reference above. Thus, consumer items relevant to the items presentin the digital media may be located dynamically. FIG. 3B depicts programsteps taken by the system embodiment to assist with dynamic location ofconsumer products (338).

The publisher user is first presented with an application browser thatallows the user to locate a consumer product advertiser's website, fromwhich the publisher user may select a consumer item relevant to theitems present in the previously chosen digital media (340). The systemthen dynamically parses the consumer product webpage using XML or textparsing scripts as required to obtain the consumer product data, fromwhich the specialized product hyperlink is generated (342). Thisconsumer product data and specialized hyperlink data are then added tothe publisher user's favorites folder for future use (344). Thisconsumer product and hyperlink data may they be selected by thepublisher user as additional digital media data for the selected digitalmedia (348).

Referring once more to FIG. 3A, following selection, the digital mediaand additional digital media related data are posted to the system(318). The system information unique identifier creation device thensaves the posted digital media to a data storage device (320) andcreates and stores a reference to the digital media database record(322). The digital media related data is then stored in the databasedevice as well (324), and a new database record (and record ID) iscreated for use with the information unique identifier (326). Thedigital media related data database record ID is then provided to theinformation unique identifier creation device (328) and a hash valuethat represents and is related to the information bundle database recordis generated (330). In this embodiment the hash value is created byencoding the record ID into Base62 (letters A-Z, a-z, and numbers 0-9)using standard encoding techniques. Other embodiments may utilize adifferent number base, for example, Base32 or Base64. The informationunique identifier link is then created and returned to the publisheruser (332).

An example of an embodiment of an information unique identifier is asfollows:

-   -   #FirstElement URLSecondElement@SMAccountThirdElement        The “#FirstElement” represents a social media network hash tag        that provides a means to link all of the various information        unique identifiers together on the social media network service.        This element affords the ability to search the social media        network service for the #FirstElement to view all posts with        that hash tag. This hash tag may be any combination of        characters. The “URLSecondElement” represents a shortened or        full-length hyperlink, the selection of which returns for        display all stored information for the digital image from the        system database device records. In the present embodiment the        system uses Base62 decoding to obtain a unique identifier value.        In alternate embodiments the system utilizes the unique URL of        the social media network service or a Media ID provided by the        social media network service API as the unique identifier        instead of using a system provided unique identifier. The        “@SMAccountThirdElement” represents the name of the social media        network service account that is controlled by the system and not        the publisher, and serves as a master account handle. This        master account affords the embodied system access to the social        media network service via the API. The use of this account        handle with publisher posts affords the ability to reach the        master account profile page on the social media network service.        From this master account profile page a social media network        member user may access featured publisher posts, or may even        register with the system embodiment as a publisher user. The        “URLSecondElement” is a required element and may, in other        embodiments, be utilized without the #FirstElement        and @SMAccountThirdElement. In another embodiment the        information unique identifier comprises only the        URLSecondElement while in another embodiment the information        unique identifier comprises the URLSecondElement and either of        #FirstElement or @SMAccountThirdElement, and/or may include        additional system defined elements.

Following creation of the information unique identifier, the publisheruser is presented with a pre-publish screen to preview the digital mediaand information bundle package for posting on the social media networkservice (334). The publisher user computing device interface thentransitions the publisher user to the social media network serviceinterface (336) to allow posting of the digital media package.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of major portions of the process flow as performedby a publisher user upon posting a digital media on a social medianetworking service in the present embodiment. Upon entering the socialmedia network service interface (402) the publisher user is presentedwith options regarding image filters (404). If the publisher userchooses to modify the original digital media with a filter (406), then acopy of the digital media is created (408), the filters applied tomodify the copy (410), and the digital media package is posted on thesocial media network website (412). Once posted, the information bundlein the digital media package causes the social media network service togenerate a callback to the system regarding the posting (414) and theposted digital media file is saved and the information bundle isactivated on the system (418). If filters were applied to the digitalmedia prior to posting, then the modified digital media file is providedto the system where it is saved in the database device in relation tothe original digital media file (416).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of major portions of the process flow as performedby a social media networking service member user in viewing and rankingthe posted digital media in the present embodiment. If the social medianetwork service requires registration and authentication, the memberuser registers with the social media network service (502) and createsan account. The member user also registers with the system of thepresent embodiment, providing registration information including themember user's identification and communications preferences (504). Onceregistered, the member user is allowed to browse the digital mediaposted on the social media network service (506). If the member user isinterested in the browsed, posted digital media (508), then the memberuser may indicate approval using the social media network rankingfeature (510). If the member user clicks-through the link provided bythe posted digital media (i.e., the posted image bundle link) and makesa purchase of the browsed item (512), then the publisher earns creditfor the click-through and purchase (514). After the member user ranksthe digital media, the system receives notification of the ranking,which allows the system to target marketing regarding the ranked digitalmedia to the member user (516).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of major portions of the process flow as performedby an embodiment of the monitoring device. The monitoring device of thesystem (608), in general, monitors the social media network service forposted rankings of posted digital media. After registering as a userwith the system (602), the registered member user connects to the socialmedia network service using the system user application interface thatwas installed on the member user's handheld device (604). Theapplication interface authenticates with the social media networkservice, which provides an access token in response. This access tokenis shared with the system to allow the system to query the social medianetwork service to obtain the member user's private data. Some socialmedia network services also provide subscription API services that,using this access token, generate notifications whenever the relatedmember user posts or updates data. In this fashion, the system may,using the member user's access token, receive updates whenever themember user makes a post or an update to private data. The presentembodiment utilizes the commonly understood OAuth authenticationprotocol standard, which provides for access tokens. However, otherauthentication protocol standards that provide the equivalent of theaccess token may also be utilized and are within the scope of theinvention.

Once the member user is authenticated (606), the periodic monitoringengine begins operation by retrieving, using the social media networkservice API calls, the posted digital media data/metadata and relatedrankings (for which the member user was responsible)(610) and searchingthe caption of the retrieved digital media for the information uniqueidentifier (612). If the information unique identifier is present withrespect to a particular retrieved digital media data (614), then theretrieved digital media data/metadata and ranking are stored by thesystem (618) in the data storage device (620) for subsequent processing.This periodic operation (steps 610 through 618) in the presentembodiment is performed every five minutes or as often as the APIallows, but may be performed on any cycle deemed appropriate for a givenmember user or social media network service activity load. For example,if a particular member user is known to provide much more frequentpostings of digital media rankings, then this period might be reduced tocapture the member user's activity in a more expeditious fashion. Theconverse is the same. Moreover, if the network load on the social medianetwork service is excessively high then the period of operation may beadjusted to improve overall system responsiveness. In any event, themore frequent the engine operates the more current the retrieved databecomes and, therefore, the timelier the targeted marketing becomes.

After connection (606), the member user is presented with a screen onthe member user graphical interface (web browser) that includes a viewof the member user's rankings and related digital media (626). Themember user's interface requests the data (628) and the system respondsby returning a listing of the member user's posted rankings and digitalmedia data/metadata (622). This information is then displayed on themember user's interface in a grid, stream, or other view (624). As themember user utilizes the social media network service, the monitoringdevice refreshes its stored data (620) and this view (624) is updated asoften as the API allows, in order to ensure timely information. In oneembodiment the member user is presented with a listing of featuredpublisher user posted digital media to further promote engagement anddrive conversions to publishers and retailers related to what theconsumer is already engaging with on their social media, effectivelytargeting marketing related to specific consumer products.

With up-to-date knowledge of the member user's rankings (620), it ispossible for the system to target marketing to the member user by thisperiodic surveying of the member user's rankings. When the systemobtains the member user's “current” ranking in the aforementionedfashion, the system can then readily retrieve the relevant rankeddigital media and related item data/metadata for timely presentation tothe member user through the communications means. In addition to thetargeted marketing (as described below), the member user interface view(624) also presents to the member user the relevant ranked digital mediaand related item data/metadata to assist the member user in purchasingor obtaining the ranked items.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of major portions of the process flow as performedby an embodiment of the communications device. The top half of thediagram presents functions related to the communications queue (702) andthe bottom half presents functions related to the processing queue(724). The communications queue (702) and processing queue (724) eachrun periodically to afford automated communications of the targetedmarketing to the member users. It is important to note that thecommunications device of the present embodiment is adapted to generate,queue, and send email communications with member users. However, inanother embodiment the communications device is adapted to generate,queue, and send SMS or MMS text messages to a member user.

The communications queue (702) of the present embodiment is scheduled torun continuously, but may be run periodically, for example, every fiveminutes (704) followed by a similar period of rest (718). When active,the communications queue obtains from the system a list of active memberusers for receipt of electronic correspondence (706) containing targetedmarketing based on the member user's ranking activities. On a per-userbasis (708), the communications queue retrieves the timestamp for thelast electronic communication sent to the respective user (710), andthen retrieves from the data storage device the information associatedwith the ten member user rankings posted most recently following thetimestamp (712). Separate email correspondence containing the relateditem data/metadata is then generated based on each of the ten retrievedrankings (714) and the ten generated email correspondences are added tothe communications outbox queue (720). Once each of the member user'saccounts has been processed (716), the communications queue rests untilthe period expires (718). The physical creation of an email or othersimilar electronic correspondence is commonly practiced and understood,and is well within the skill of one having ordinary skill in the art.Although the present embodiment retrieves and processes ten member userrankings, other embodiments may retrieve and process different numbersof member user rankings. For example, another embodiment processes allmember user rankings on a given pass through the communications queue,or may process some number less than the stated ten rankings.

Then processing queue (724) of the present embodiment is scheduled torun continuously, but may be run periodically, for example, every fiveminute period as well (726), followed by a similar period of rest (740).The communications outbox queue (720) is sequentially emptied (730), andeach email (732) is sent to the recipient (734) until the queue isemptied (736). If the process has not yet run for the allotted period(738), operation continues (728) and additional emails are obtained fromthe communications queue (720) for processing (730). If the operationalperiod has expired (738), the processing queue is awakened (728) and thesteps repeat. By adapting the queues to run periodically, it is possibleto provide timely targeted marketing correspondence without overwhelmingthe email inbox of the member users. In another embodiment the period ofoperation/period of rest are dynamic and may be altered depending ondesired system responsiveness. The configuration and operation of anemail server is commonly practiced and understood, and is well withinthe skill of one having ordinary skill in the art. Further, otherembodiments may use multiple instances of the processing queue (724),each running in a multi-threaded fashion and retrieving items from thecommunications queue (720) to increase processing efficiency and speed.

FIG. 8 is a depiction of the screen of a publisher user handheldcomputing device (800) depicting the application start screen asprovided by an embodiment. Shown is the start screen of the downloadedhandheld computing device application portion of the system. Oncedownloaded, the application icon (802) appears on the publisher user'sscreen. Upon selecting the icon to start the application, the publisheruser is presented with the system start screen.

In accessing the system functionality, the publisher user must firstselect a digital media file for posting on the social media networkservice. FIG. 9 is a depiction of the screen of a publisher userhandheld computing device (800) depicting the media folder screen asprovided by the embodiment. The publisher user is presented with foldersfrom which to select the digital media file for posting (902). Uponselection of a folder, the digital media files are made available. FIG.10 is a depiction of the screen of a publisher user handheld computingdevice depicting the media selection screen as provided by theembodiment. The publisher user selects a digital media file for use(1002). Once selected, the publisher user is presented with his or herfavorites folders as maintained by the system. FIG. 11 is a depiction ofthe screen of a publisher user handheld computing device depicting thefavorites folders as provided by the embodiment. As stated above, thefavorites folders in this embodiment contain favored consumer productimage data/metadata and links to sources of various consumer items ofinterest to the publisher user. The publisher user selects a favoritesfolder (1102) containing consumer items visible in the selected digitalmedia file, and is presented with a display of the favored consumerproducts stored therein as depicted in FIG. 12.

FIG. 12 is a depiction of the screen of a publisher user handheldcomputing device (800) depicting the product links available in aparticular favorites folder as provided by the embodiment. Shown in thefigure are favored consumer products retained by the system in thepublisher user's selected favorites folder (1202). Publisher users alsohave the ability to search the contents of the folder (1204) in theevent of a large number of stored items, or of the system database forother such saved consumer product image data/metadata. FIG. 13 is adepiction of the screen of a publisher user handheld computing devicedepicting the selected favorites consumer product links as provided bythe embodiment. Depicted are the selected products (1302) in the folderthat the publisher user wishes to highlight in the chosen digital mediafile (1304). In this case, the digital media is a photographic image ofa female's wrist with stacking bracelets (1304). The images from thefavorites folder that were chosen (1302) are the bracelets in the image(1304).

FIG. 14 is a depiction of the screen of a publisher user handheldcomputing device (800) depicting the entry of a caption for the selectedmedia and appended unique identifier as provided by the embodiment.After selecting the items from the favorites folder or from the resultsof a search of the system database, the publisher user is presented witha screen for entry of a caption to accompany the digital media file(1402), preferably a description of the image contents. Below thecaption entry is a listing of the selected items, including itemmetadata (for example, purchase price, commission amounts, source foritem, etc.).

Following selection of items and entry of a caption, the publisher useris presented with the pre-publication screen for publication to thesocial media network service. FIG. 15 is a depiction of the screen of apublisher user handheld computing device (800) depicting the socialmedia network publication selection screen as provided by theembodiment. In this instance, the digital media and data are intendedfor publication on the Instagram social media network service, which maybe accomplished by selecting the Instagram icon (1502). It is alsopossible for the publisher user to copy the information uniqueidentifier that is presented to a web browser clipboard or text editor,and paste the copied information unique identifier as a caption orcomment manually in a social media posting.

Upon selection of the Instagram social media network service icon(1502), the publisher user interface changes to the social media networkservice image modification screen. FIG. 16 is a depiction of the screenof a publisher user handheld computing device (800) depicting the socialmedia network media editing screen and options as provided by theembodiment. As shown, the publisher user is provided with numerousfilters (1602) that may be applied to the digital media image, includingrotation, brightness, and contrast adjustments (1604). Once the digitalmedia image is adjusted, if desired, the image is ready for posting onthe social media network website.

FIG. 17 is a depiction of the screen of a publisher user handheldcomputing device depicting the social media network media sharing screenas provided by the embodiment. This screen presents the publisher userwith the ability to edit the digital media file metadata (1702) and topost the posted image on a selection of other social media networkservices (1704). Once formally published, the publisher user ispresented with the posted digital media file as it appears on the socialmedia network service website as in FIG. 18. FIG. 18 is a depiction ofthe screen of a publisher user handheld computing device depicting thesocial media network publisher shared media as provided by theembodiment. Visible on this screen is the posted digital media file(1802), the caption (1804) containing the information unique identifierelements (1806), and the ranking feature (1808). The digital media fileis now formally posted on the social median network service website andthe system is notified and the information unique identifier isactivated by the system.

FIG. 19 is a depiction of the screen of a social media member userhandheld computing device (1900) depicting the social media networkscreen for member user review and ranking as provided by the embodiment.In this example, the digital media file image (1902) is presented asposted, with the caption containing the information bundle presentedbelow (1904). The member user is given the option to rank the image byselecting the “like” button (1906), and/or may add a comment (1908) tothe post. In another embodiment the posted comment is retrieved by thesystem in the same fashion as the ranking, and is utilized alone or inconjunction with the ranking to further refine the targeting ofmarketing information to the member user. Upon selection of the“@SMAccountThirdElement” element of the information bundle (1910), theuser is presented with the social media network service system accountscreen as depicted in FIG. 20.

FIG. 20 is a depiction of the screen of a social media member userhandheld computing device (2000) depicting the social media networkmedia screen associated with the posted digital media file shown asprovided by the embodiment. This screen presents the member user withinformation related to the system services (2002), as well as the systemassociated digital media files that the embodied system presents forpromotional purposes (2004). Upon selection of a hyperlink representingthe system services (2006), the member user is redirected to a webbrowser as shown in FIG. 21, from where the system services may beaccessed directly as shown in FIG. 22. FIG. 21 is a depiction of thescreen of a social media member user handheld computing device (1900)depicting the social media network screen in response to selection ofthe system website hyperlink as provided by the embodiment. FIG. 22 is adepiction of the screen of a social media member user handheld computingdevice (1900) depicting the system website as provided by theembodiment. By registering with the system website, the member user maysign into the system service (2202) and provide communicationspreferences as shown in FIG. 23. FIG. 23 is a depiction of the screen ofa social media member user handheld computing device (1900) screendepicting the system website member user registration as provided by theembodiment. In this instance the member user is allowed to enter apreferred email address (2302) for receipt of the targeted marketingcorrespondence.

FIG. 24 is a depiction of the screen of a social media member userhandheld computing device (1900) depicting the selected media on thesystem website as provided by the embodiment. Depicted is the screenthat is displayed following member user sign in. From this screen theuser is presented with a view of the ranked social media network serviceposted digital media (2402) along with a view of the related item dataoriginally highlighted by the respective publisher user. In thisinstance the separate bracelets are displayed (2404) that comprise thestacked bracelets (2402). This screen is a representation of thetargeted marketing correspondence that the member user receives, whichwas generated in response to the member user's ranking activity asdescribed above. This targeted marketing is also presented to the memberuser in a crafted email correspondence as depicted in FIG. 25.

FIG. 25 is a depiction of the screen of a social media member user emailclient depicting the targeted marketing email communication as providedby the embodiment. Visible on this screen is the member user emailclient, which may be any common web or desktop email client (forexample, Mac Mail, Outlook, Thunderbird, Gmail, etc.). Visible withinthe reading pane of the email client is the targeted marketingcorrespondence, which in this case is the stacked bracelet image (2502)and related item data (2504). The related item data (2504) is ahyperlink that causes a web browser to open and display informationregarding the related item selected. For example, selecting the bracelet(2504) causes the member user's computing device to open a web browseras depicted in FIG. 26. FIG. 26 is a depiction of the screen of a socialmedia member user web browser depicting an item of interest as obtainedfrom a link in the email communication or the system website as providedby the embodiment. Shown is the related item (bracelet) and associatedpurchasing information (2602) for facilitating a purchase of the item bythe member user. By providing such timely targeted marketing and directaccess to the consumer item information for the member user, thepossibility of consummating a sale is greatly improved.

As indicated above, aspects of this invention pertain to specific“method functions” implementable through various computer systems. In analternate embodiment, the invention may be implemented as a computerprogram product for use with a computer system. Those skilled in the artshould readily appreciate that programs defining the functions of thepresent invention can be delivered to a computer in many forms, whichinclude, but are not limited to: (a) information permanently stored onnon-writeable storage media (e.g. read only memory devices within acomputer such as ROMs or CD-ROM disks readable only by a computer I/Oattachment); (b) information alterably stored on writeable storage media(e.g. floppy disks and hard drives); or (c) information conveyed to acomputer through communication media, such as a local area network, atelephone network, or a public network like the Internet. It should beunderstood, therefore, that such media, when carrying computer readableinstructions that direct the method functions of the present invention,represent alternate embodiments of the present invention.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, the scope of theinvention is established by the appended claims rather than by theforegoing description. All changes which come within the meaning andrange of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embracedtherein. Further, the recitation of method steps does not denote aparticular sequence for execution of the steps. Such method steps maytherefore be performed in a sequence other than that recited unless theparticular claim expressly states otherwise. Moreover, multiple computerautomated devices may be combined to achieve all or a portion of thestated functionality.

We claim:
 1. A system for providing targeted marketing based on socialmedia interaction, the system comprising: a computer automatedinformation unique identifier creation device in network communicationwith at least one social media network computing device, the informationunique identifier creation device adapted to generate an informationunique identifier in response to a selected digital media and/or arelated textual caption, the social media network computing deviceadapted to accept the posting of the selected digital media and thegenerated information unique identifier from a publisher, and to allow aranking of the posted digital media by a plurality of social medianetwork member users; a computer automated digital media ranking monitordevice adapted to monitor the social media network computing device forthe posted digital media ranking; and a computer automatedcommunications device adapted to communicate targeted marketinginformation to the social network member user, the marketing informationrelevant to the member user's posted digital media ranking.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, the system further comprising: a data storage deviceadapted to store the digital media and/or related textual caption asrecord data and to generate a unique character identifier in response,the information unique identifier comprising the unique characteridentifier.
 3. The system of claim 1, the system further comprising: adata storage device adapted to store the digital media and relatedtextual data and/or metadata as record data and to generate in responsea unique character identifier, the information unique identifiercomprising the unique character identifier as an element.
 4. The systemof claim 1, wherein all or some combination of the computer automateddevices runs on a single computing device platform.
 5. The system ofclaim 1, the information unique identifier comprising a common linkingelement that links the digital media and information unique identifierto other digital media and related information unique identifiers. 6.The system of claim 1, the information unique identifier comprising aunique identifier element that is unique to the digital media andinformation unique identifier, and that allows the system to locate andretrieve digital media information stored in a database.
 7. The systemof claim 1, the information unique identifier comprising a notificationelement that allows the social media network to notify the system whenthe digital media and information unique identifier are posted to oravailable on the social media network system for social media networkmember users to access.
 8. The system of claim 1, the communicationsdevice further adapted to queue a plurality of email messages containingtargeted marketing information for distribution to the social medianetwork member user.
 9. The system of claim 1, the communications devicefurther adapted to queue a plurality of SMS or MMS messages containingtargeted marketing information for distribution to the social medianetwork member user.
 10. The system of claim 1, the digital mediaranking monitor device further adapted to retrieve a plurality ofdigital media and related information unique identifiers based on, andin response to, a digital media ranking by a social media network memberuser.
 11. The system of claim 1, the digital media ranking monitordevice further adapted to retrieve a plurality of digital media andrelated information unique identifiers based on and in response to adigital media ranking by a social media network member user, thecommunications device further adapted to communicate to the social medianetwork member user a plurality of targeted marketing informationrelated to the plurality of retrieved digital media.
 12. A method forproviding targeted marketing based on social media interaction, themethod steps comprising: providing at least one automated computingdevice in network communication with at least one social media networkcomputing device, the social media network computing device adapted toaccept as a post from a publisher user a digital media and a relatedcaption, and to allow a ranking by a plurality of social media networkmember users of the posted digital media, the automated computing deviceexecuting program instructions to perform the method steps comprising:receiving a selected digital media and related data and/or metadata froma publisher; receiving digital media related data from the publisher,the digital media related data representing elements within the selecteddigital media; saving the selected digital media and storing a referenceto the selected digital media and digital media related data and/ormetadata in a database device record, and generating a unique characteridentifier representative of the database record location; generating aninformation unique identifier in response to the selected digital mediaand/or related textual caption, the information unique identifiergeneration steps comprising: associating the information uniqueidentifier with the selected digital media reference and digital mediarelated data; monitoring the social media network computing device for aposted digital media ranking by a social media network users; andcommunicating periodically to the social media network member usertargeted marketing information based upon the posted digital mediaranking, the targeted marketing information comprising detailed consumerinformation related to the posted digital media.
 13. The method of claim12, the method steps further comprising: activating the informationunique identifier upon the posting by the publisher of the informationunique identifier and related digital media on the social media networkcomputing device.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the digital mediarelated data and/or metadata received from the publisher comprises alist of selected elements visible within the selected digital media. 15.The method of claim 12, wherein the digital media related data and/ormetadata received from the publisher comprises retail consumer productdetails related to elements visible within the selected digital media.16. The method of claim 12, wherein the digital media related dataand/or metadata received from the publisher comprises a plurality ofhyperlinks to retail consumer data related to elements visible withinthe selected digital media.
 17. The method of claim 12, the method stepsfurther comprising: providing a linking hash character as a firstinformation unique identifier element, the linking hash charactereffecting discovery of a plurality of selected digital media and relatedinformation unique identifiers posted by any publishers.
 18. The methodof claim 12, the method steps further comprising: providing the uniquecharacter identifier as a second information unique identifier element,the unique character identifier effecting return of database recordinformation related to the stored selected digital media, caption, anddigital media related data.
 19. The method of claim 12, the method stepsfurther comprising: providing a social media network master accountidentifier as a third information unique identifier element.
 20. Themethod of claim 12, the method steps further comprising: receiving andsaving an edited digital media related to the selected digital media andstoring a reference to the edited digital media in the database, theedited digital media associated with the selected digital media, thecaption, the digital media related data and/or metadata, and theinformation unique identifier.
 21. The method of claim 12, wherein thecompiled list of digital media rankings for each of the listed socialmedia network member users comprises only digital media rankings thathave been posted by the social media network member user since theprevious communication with the social media network member user. 22.The method of claim 12, the method steps further comprising: searchingthe social media network computing device for ranked digital mediacontaining the information unique identifier in the caption.
 23. Themethod of claim 12, the method steps further comprising: storing atleast a portion of the information unique identifier of each rankeddigital media with an indicator of the social media network member userthat posted the ranking.
 24. The method of claim 12, the method stepsfurther comprising: compiling a list social media network member users;compiling a list of digital media rankings for each of the listed socialmedia network member users; and communicating to each social medianetwork member user targeted marketing information relevant each listeddigital media ranking
 25. The method of claim 12, the method stepsfurther comprising: retrieving a plurality of digital media and relatedinformation unique identifiers based on and in response to a digitalmedia ranking by a social media network member user.
 26. The method ofclaim 12, the method steps further comprising: retrieving a plurality ofdigital media and related information unique identifiers based on and inresponse to a digital media ranking by a social media network memberuser; and communicating to the social media network member user aplurality of targeted marketing information related to the plurality ofretrieved digital media.
 27. The method of claim 12, the method stepsfurther comprising: receiving digital media related data and/or metadatafrom the publisher, the digital media related data representing metadataof the selected digital media.